As a registered nurse (RN), you provide invaluable care and compassion to patients in their most vulnerable moments. You administer medications and treatments, advocate for your patients, and often serve as the steady hand that keeps things running. You are, arguably, the backbone of the healthcare system.
But you’re more than that. You’re a caregiver, a problem solver, a team leader, and someone who deserves the opportunity to grow. For many RNs, that next opportunity comes in the form of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
While an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the minimum requirement to become an RN, earning a BSN can open doors to leadership roles and higher pay, all while strengthening the care you already provide.
A BSN, or RN to BSN, has a number of similarities to an ADN:
While both an ADN and a BSN will equip you with the essential skills to begin your nursing career, there are some notable differences—particularly in terms of time commitment, salary potential, and long-term career opportunities. For example, you can complete an ADN in two or more years, while a BSN degree requires a minimum of four years to complete.
The time invested pays off, however. Nurses that have earned their BSN average higher annual salaries than their ADN-holding colleagues. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses in 2024 was $93,600.
While the BLS does not break down salaries specifically for ADN vs. BSN holders, it reports that registered nurses in outpatient care centers earn a mean wage of $102,640, while those in federal government positions earn an average of $114,860—roles that often prefer or require a BSN.
Not sure if now’s the right time to earn your BSN? You’re not the only one. Many nurses start with a diploma or associate degree and return to school later once they’ve gained experience, weighed their options, or solidified their goals.
Whether you’re early in your career or planning ahead for graduate school, a BSN can open new doors. Here are four key reasons to consider advancing your nursing education:
If you’re considering going the BSN route, here are four reasons to do so:
As a BSN student, you’ll study subjects including theories and issues in professional nursing and healthcare, nursing research, and clinical leadership. Modern nursing also puts a strong emphasis on addressing the needs of multicultural patients as our society becomes more diverse and interconnected with the outside world.
This means you’ll take one or more courses with a multicultural or global focus. In addition, you may take some electives with a business and/or management focus.
The University of Texas Permian Basin’s CCNE-accredited online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares you to take on leadership and decision-making roles in patient care. As you progress through the program, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the following skills:
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing online from UT Permian Basin provides many advantages:
UT Permian Basin’s online RN to BSN program has three required clinical courses. These courses let you work closely with an established professional to acquire invaluable experience, develop new knowledge and skills, and apply theory into actual practice within a variety of professional settings.
Clinical courses are conducted in-person with a preceptor of your choosing, provided they’ve already earned a BSN and are currently working in a leadership position. You do not need to make campus visits for the clinical courses, and you’ll receive all of the details and requirements for preceptors while enrolled in your first seminar course.
Elevate your career potential! See where a BSN from UT Permian Basin can take you.
Sources:
https://nurse.org/education/adn-vs-bsn-degree
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing_(BSN)/Salary
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Associate_Degree_Nursing_(ADN)/Salary
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